The Star of David and the Lone Star State
On April 18, the State of Israel will celebrate its 70th anniversary. At first glance, one can ask himself: Why is this piece of information important for the average American, or better yet, the average Texan? What on earth does it matter what happens in Israel for a Texan in his day to day life?
These are challenging questions, and the answer is plain and simple: It is agreed by all that in the 21st century the world is nothing more than one global village.
Time and again we understand that what happens in one corner of the world has a direct impact and effects countries, peoples and cultures on the other side of our planet.
The terror in the Middle East is a problem and a threat that faces all mankind. Even the Zika virus that burst out three years ago in South America had influence on people in all seven continents. Economic crises in China or the United States threaten the stability of markets in the European Union. We can conclude that, in our times, distance can no longer promise immunity.
Look at the world as one big neighborhood. It is only normal that residences in that neighborhood will want the bad guys — those violent and dangerous inhabitants out, and the good guys — the decent, productive families in the neighborhood.
In the past 70 years Israel has become a permanent resident in the neighborhood. Its existence is a fact whether people like it or not.
Each and every one of us should ask: Who would you want to see as his next-door neighbor? A quiet, contributing, thriving democratic, vibrant modern family or maybe a violent, unstable, zealous capricious clan? The answer is obvious.
Israel is the family one will want to have as a neighbor. Even in tough situations and circumstances Israel has always devoted itself to the wellbeing of the world. In medicine, arts, high tech, academia and culture, Israel constantly contributes to its surroundings.
Israel is the only authentic democratic country in a range of thousands of miles. There is no real democratic country in the Middle East. The values Israel believes in and stands for are the exact values Texans and all Americans stand for: freedom, human rights, justice, law, equality, rights for minorities, sanctity of life and many more.
These joint values and interests can explain why America and Israel are true allies. It all began some 70 years ago. A fateful decision had to be made regarding the recognition and foundation of a Jewish state in the land of Israel.
The 33rd American president, Harry S. Truman, instructed the U.S. representative, General John H. Hilldring, to sustain during the historical vote (No. 181) that took place at the United Nation assembly on Nov. 29, 1947.
The core vote dealt with the sensitive question regarding the recognition of a new Jewish state in the land of Israel. After the international community understood how the American representative would vote, history and justice were made. The results were clear: 33 in favor, 10 abstained and 13 countries opposed the decision.
The State of Israel, the renewed Jewish state in the ancient Holy Land, came back to life. The dreams of my forefathers turned into reality. Once again, after more than two millennia, the people without land met the land without people.
And here we are today, 70 years later, celebrating our independence and deepening the relations with our strategic ally and partner the United States of America.
On April 18, 2018 the honorable Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will attend as the keynote speaker of the consulate’s independence celebration here in Houston. It is a privilege for me as the Consul General of Israel to the Southwest to host Gov. Abbott and many more dignified friends on our special occasion.
Specially on our independence day we extend our hand to all Houstonians and to all the American people.